Patrick L. Purdon, PhD
Associate Professor of Anaesthesia at Harvard Medical School
Nathaniel M. Sims Endowed Chair in Anesthesia Innovation and Bioengineering at Massachusetts General Hospital
Patrick L. Purdon, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Anaesthesia at Harvard Medical School and the Nathaniel M. Sims Endowed Chair in Anesthesia Innovation and Bioengineering at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Purdon received his A.B. in Engineering Sciences from Harvard College in 1996, his M.S. in Electrical Engineering from MIT in 1998, and his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from MIT in 2005. Dr. Purdon’s research in neuroengineering encompasses the mechanisms of anesthesia, Alzheimer’s disease and brain health, anesthesia and the developing brain, neural signal processing, and the development of novel technologies for brain monitoring. He has published over 90 peer-reviewed publications, is an inventor on 16 pending patents, and is a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. Dr. Purdon has won numerous awards, including the prestigious National Institutes of Health Director’s New Innovator Award.
Postdoctoral Fellows
Gustavo’s goal is to help develop tools and methods that improve anesthetic management during surgery and critical care. Additionally, he is interested in characterizing opioid mechanisms to better understand and address the ongoing opioid crisis.
Proloy's broad research interest lies in computational modeling and analysis of neural signals aiming to decipher the underlying brain dynamics using statistical signal processing and machine learning tools. One of the primary focus of his research is to develop novel computational tools to mitigate the challenges that the current neural data analysis paradigms face and make them available as open-source tools for the neuroscience community. Outside of work, Proloy enjoys cooking, exercising, and paleontology.
Rodrigo is interested in study the anesthesia-induced brain dynamics using EEG and understand the mechanism associated with anesthesia induced unconsciousness state. Rodrigo aims to used this information to improve health and cognitive outcomes for patients undergoing surgery. Outside the lab and the OR, Rodrigo enjoys playing tennis and learning how to play piano.
Fangyun is interested in investigating the neurophysiological mechanisms of general anesthesia and consciousness using biomedical signal processing and statistical modeling approaches.
Ran is broadly interested in the application of dynamical systems modeling, machine learning, and artificial intelligence methods to problems in medicine. In particular, he wishes to investigate brain function, consciousness, and cognition, and work at the intersection of machine learning and model-based methods.
Graduate Students
Harvard-MIT MD/PhD Candidate
Rory is currently interested in using signal processing methods and control theory to develop new ways of diagnosing and treating psychological illnesses and neurodegenerative diseases. His current project is trying to identify unique markers for cognitive decline in cancer patients. Outside of his work, Rory is interested in medical administration, photography, and graphic design.
HST MEMP PhD candidate
Alex is interested in understanding, diagnosing, and preventing Alzheimer’s disease with advanced signal processing and statistical modeling tools
Research Assistants and Lab Staff
Clinical Research Coordinator
Andrew is interested in the use of EEG as a way to personalize anesthetic delivery and monitor brain health non-invasively, as well as finding ways to alleviate feelings of loneliness within the elderly population. Outside of work, Andrew loves spending time with his family and dogs, playing tennis, discovering new music, and reading!
Clinical Research Coordinator II
Tom is a mathematician turned neuroscience researcher interested in implementing novel and modern data science techniques towards understanding brain health and dynamics.
Clinical Research Coordinator
Ekene is interested in brain pathology and learning about factors that influence the integrity and stability of the nervous system. Ekene wishes to learn about ways we can monitor and improve the health of the nervous system by using translational research as a guide. Outside of work, Ekene enjoys music, trying new foods, art, and watching interesting shows/movies.
Clinical Research Coordinator II
Jasmine is interested in the use of data science to solve public health issues and address healthcare disparities. In her spare time, she loves giving fun facts about the great city of Atlanta, indoor cycling and watching basketball!
Clinical Research Coordinator II
Kishore is interested in developing and applying biostatistical techniques to better characterize and improve upon opioid management and pain outcomes. Kishore enjoys solving and creating puzzles, making music, and the Dallas Mavericks.
Clinical Research Coordinator
Haley is interested in further understanding data techniques associated with various neuroimaging techniques that can advance knowledge of the human brain and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. She plans to continue studying neurodegenerative diseases with the intent of pursuing a career in neurology.
Clinical Research Coordinator
Justin is interested in utilizing non-invasive techniques such as EEG to monitor brain health and better personalize care for patients. Outside of work, Justin enjoys traveling, cooking, and exploring the city of Boston.
Clinical Research Coordinator
Anthony is interested in researching Alzheimers disease, and cognitive aging. One day, he hopes to become a neuropsychologist and continue his research with older populations. During his free time he loves to play guitar, listen to music, and exercise!
Project Coordinator
Akriti is interested in utilizing translational research to improve healthcare delivery and address healthcare inequities. In her free time, she enjoys painting, reading, and yoga!
Clinical Research Coordinator
Mackenzie is a Master’s student with background in intraoperative neuromonitoring. She is interested in the diagnostic and preventative applications of neuromonitoring techniques, specifically during the peri-surgical timeframe. The focus of her current research are biomarkers during surgical recovery that may indicate recovery lengths. Mackenzie is also interested in using neuromonitoring to learn how to further modulate anesthesia care for individual patients.
Research Intern
Will wants to develop technologies to bridge the gap for neurodiverse people in learning environments. He is currently interested in studying computational neuroscience and pediatric neurodevelopment. In his spare time, he plays the drums in a rock band, produces music, and is a beekeeper.
Research Intern
Okezue is a current high school senior with interests in applying signal processing to low-cost and dynamic healthcare devices. He is currently using convolution-based machine learning algorithms to enable high-fidelity controls of different objects, from rehabilitation devices to 3D-printed prosthesis. He is also broadly interested and working in the climate justice and social equity spaces, and loves taking pictures and writings.
Alumni
The goal of Laura’s research is to investigate the underlying mechanisms of anesthetics action on the brain and the relationship between metabolic and immune brain state, neurophysiological circuits, and anesthetic drugs. In addition, Laura is interested in understanding the pathophysiology of cognitive disorders, as it relates to anesthesia and surgery, in different at-risk populations such as elderly, Alzheimer's, MS, cancer, septic, and IBD patients.
Pegah is interested in understanding the electrophysiological dynamics of local and global brain states, their neurometabolic determinants and underlying neurocircuitries
Senior Clinical Engineer
Christopher has been working in the areas of instructional design and healthcare human factors within the context of both research and quality improvement processes. He has been involved in the design of eLearning courses and educational content for promoting safe and effective practices for anesthesia management, medical device usage, and IV infusion delivery.
PhD candidate
David is interested in general anesthesia and disorders of consciousness.
Clinical Research Coordinator
Sam is interested in neurology, anesthesia, and all things related to the brain. He wants to help get a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and to uncover potential treatments.
Clinical Research Coordinator
Evan wants to use EEG-monitoring to better identify the impacts of anesthesia on post-operative recovery within the elderly population and is also interested in improving access to healthy foods in underserved populations. He also loves to snowboard, cook with his wok, and work on leathercrafts!
Clinical Research Coordinator
Tenzin is interested in learning more about the pathological mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disease such as the Alzheimer’s disease using neuroimaging (fMRI, EEG, PET) techniques.
Feng is interested in developing statistical and/or machine learning models to solve brain imaging problems using EEG/MEG recordings to better understand how our brain works.
Gladia is interested in EEG source localization, state-space modeling, functional connectivity
Clinical Research Coordinator
Ray is interested in how higher-level cognitive functions such as intelligence and consciousness are coded in neurological signaling, development, and structure. Ray is also passionate about understanding how neurological disorders like ASD and Alzheimer’s impact such functions, and how medical care can counteract these effects.
MIT PhD Candidate in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Amanda is interested in and pursuing signal processing methods to improve analysis of neural data, investigation of neurodegeneration, and design of neuromodulation systems. Amanda is also interested in a variety of medical research fields including precision medicine and AI for pathology.
Research Assistant/ Data Analyst
Hugo’s research focuses on developing statistical tools to process neural data. His models are used to analyse EEG signals from subjects (and/or patients) under general anesthesia, and aim at characterizing the relationship between different neural rhythms. In doing so, he tries to provide a quicker, more efficient and more reliable estimate of the subject unconscious/unresponsiveness state.
Clinical Research Coordinator
Currently, Taylor has interest in all things medicine. He is infatuated with learning. He hopes to one day become a surgeon and provide acute medical care to those less fortunate in third world nations.